Medical Devices and Surgical Technology Week

Hip Replacement - Expression of MMP-13, uPA and PAI-1 does not affect outcome

Imaging Technology - Physicians' perceived risk to fetus from X-rays, CT scans "unrealistically high"

Immunology - Absence of NO production alone does not initiate endothelial cell activation

Immunology - CyA C2 predicts total cholesterol in immunosuppressed kidney transplant patients

Immunology - Roles of TCR and Notch signaling in positive selection clarified

Immunology - TEPA study supports current phase I/II leukemia trial in the U.S.

Immunosuppression - Cyclosporin and tacrolimus have equivalent results in lung transplantation

Immunosuppression - Successful kidney transplants increase with cyclosporine experience

Information Technology - Cancer screening database developed for Maryland public health programs

Information Technology - Device reprocessor unveils customer portal

Kidney Cancer - Study indicates that radiofrequency ablation is 98% effective for small tumors

Kidney Fibrosis - BMP-7 promotes repair of injured kidneys

Knee Replacement - Wichita fusion nail improves knee arthrodesis outcome

Lab Instruments - BD FACSCanto flow cytometry system launched

Lab Instruments - GenePix Autoloader microarray scanner launched

Leukemia - MRI is an important tool in detecting recurrent acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Liver Cancer - Microsphere chemoembolization shows promise

Lung Cancer - Microarray analysis reveals survival-related genes in NSCLC patients

Medical Devices - Dislodged ultrasound lithotripter tip recovered from pulmonary artery

Medical Devices - Health-related quality of life effects of cochlear implants evaluated

Medical Devices - J-tipped guidewire suitable for subclavian artery puncture in RPCS placement

Medical Equipment - Fiftieth Novalis shaped beam surgery system sold

Meningioma - Temozolomide prolongs survival slightly in refractory recurrent meningioma

Menopause - REM sleep disturbed in women with menopausal insomnia

Mergers and Acquisitions - Acquisition creates world's third-largest manufacturer and distributor of breast implants

Mergers and Acquisitions - Acquisition of Quantum Laboratories completed

Mergers and Acquisitions - Companies merge to develop, manufacture, and market medical oncology devices

Mergers and Acquisitions - Device company acquired for $1.5M

Mergers and Acquisitions - MSA to acquire Swedish company

Mergers and Acquisitions - Patterson Dental completes acquisition of sports-medicine distributors

Myelodysplastic Syndrome - Granulocyte DNA models may facilitate MDS diagnosis

Nasolabial Folds - Trial started for hyaluronic acid-based cosmetic tissue augmentation therapy

Neuroscience - DNA microarray analysis helps map hippocampal regions

Neuroscience - Location of P-glycoprotein determined in rat astrocytes

Neurosurgery - ChillerStrip system used for first time during human cerebral aneurysm surgery

Nuclear Medicine - New site-targeted microbubble contrast agents delineate vascular space

Ophthalmology - DTL is suitable alternative to Jet contact lens electrode

Oral Cancer - Radial forearm skin flaps for oral cancer may change histologically

Oral Surgery - Alveolar distraction improves implant placement in narrow ridge

Oral Surgery - Autologous fibrin-platelet glue improves maxillofacial surgery outcome

Oral Surgery - Midazolam effective as sedative for Parkinson disease patients

Oral Surgery - Treatment of cleidocranial dysplasia with osseointegrated implants described

Organ Transplantation - New study may impact viability of liver transplants

Organ Transplants - Cryogenic organ banking getting closer

Orthopedic Surgery - Intramedullary technique effective for broken tibial nail removal

Orthopedics - HHV-6 infection may underlie Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Orthopedics - Most open pediatric forearm fractures have a positive outcome

Otorhinolaryngology - Dental implant-associated peripheral giant cell granuloma described

Ovarian Cancer - Sensitive new indicator developed for diagnosing ovarian malignancy

Pancreatic Islets - Immunosuppression for pancreatic islet transplantation reviewed

Pancreatic Islets - Resistin levels return to normal after islet transplantation

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma - The MACIS score predicts the outcome of papillary thyroid carcinoma in children

Parkinson's Research - Little Rock cardiologist embarking on Parkinson's research

Patents - Medical company wins patent on methods and devices for mitral valve repair

Patents - Patents granted for blood volume analyzer kit in Canada, Japan

Patents - Patents issued for the new Celsius product line

Patient Care - Electronic hugs-and-kisses system matches newborns to mothers

Patient Safety - Sharps disposal by mail system meets EPA guidelines

Pediatric Health - Cochlear implants work best when started young

Pediatric Health - Engineer helps create world's first artificial heart for children

Personnel - Alan Edrick named executive VP, chief financial officer at biotech firm

Personnel - Biomechanical cardiac replacement developer appoints new board member

Personnel - CEO and President Michael Dale named chairman of device company

Personnel - Healthcare venture capital firm appoints managing director

Personnel - IORT company adds Dr. Michael Friebe to its board of directors

Personnel - John C. Heinmiller promoted to executive VP and CFO of device company

Personnel - Laser maker announces new nomination to board of directors

Personnel - Market intelligence company names vice president, sales

Personnel - Oncology company appoints new general counsel

Pharmaceutical and Drug Development - Novel synthesis of protease inhibitors yield potent anti-HIV activity

Pharmacogenetics - Pharmacogenetics predicted to lead molecular diagnostic segment growth

Photomedicine - Silkworm pheophorbide alpha augments photodynamic therapy in melanoma models

Plastic Surgery - Cytokine neutralization alleviates excess wound fibrosis

Post-Surgical Pain - Data demonstrate single-shot epidural injection provides 48-hour pain relief

Pregnancy - Pregnancy massage may reduce premature births

Premature Ejaculation - Ulysses Desensitizing ring clinically effective for premature ejaculation

Product Licensing - Geron enters telomerase licensing agreement

Prostate Cancer - CPSA test may reduce false diagnoses of prostate cancer, studies show

Prostate Cancer - Dietary alpha-linolenic acid may increase prostate cancer risk

Prostate Cancer - Dietary factors may affect the development of prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer - IsoRay to manufacture Cesium-131 brachytherapy seed through new contract

Prostate Cancer - Researchers describe implementing the prostate cancer prevention trial (PCPT)

Prostate Cancer - Trial tests liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin in advanced prostate cancer

Proteomics - Functional protein chip for in vitro metabolic engineering developed

Proteomics - SAF-1 regulates cell cycle progression through p21 induction

Pulse Oximetry - Pediatric studies report Masimo SET Oximetry as most reliable and accurate

Radiation Oncology - Companies collaborate on DICOM-RT interfaces for oncology-based products

Radiography - Digital and analog radiographs comparable for patients with hip prostheses

Radiotherapy - Company broadens technology base with radioactive liposomes

Reconstructive Surgery - Double transpositional replantation feasible for five-digit amputation

Reconstructive Surgery - Free groin flaps provide skin coverage after tumor resection and trauma

Reconstructive Surgery - Second toe-metatarsal transfer suitable for hypoplastic thumb treatment

Reconstructive Surgery - Topical nitroglycerine improves ischemic flow-through venous flap survival

Reconstructive Surgery - Vascularized fibula bone flap improves intercalary allograft outcome

Reimbursement - New CMS procedure code may apply to E2F Decoy

Renal Cancer - Novel renal cell carcinoma translocation characterized

Respiratory Care - FDA clearance granted to market oxygen therapeutic device

Reversible Obstructive Airway Disease - New Drug Application submitted for Xopenex HFA Metered-Dose Inhaler

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Phase I testing of oral CCR2 antagonist begins

Safety Testing - Cardiovascular safety assessment service launched

Salivary Gland Disorders - Salivary gland function is important in oral and overall health

Schizophrenia - Expression of kynurenine pathway enzyme TDO2 heightened in schizophrenics

Sexual and Reproductive Health - Licensee begins sales of "Ixora for Women"

Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Use of vaginal diaphragm to prevent STDs acceptable to women in study

Short Peripheral Intravenous Devices - StatLock catheter securement devices reduce IV complications in trial

Stem-Cell Research - 3-D analysis of cultured bone useful for continuous monitoring of tissue growth

Stem-Cell Research - Different signaling pathways involved in pathogenesis of CML and EMS

Stem-Cell Research - Endodermal progenitors differentiate into hepatic and pancreatic lineages

Stem-Cell Research - Enhanced stem cell survival associated with specific APC mutations

Stem-Cell Research - Genetic profiling of hair follicle stem cells yields treatment targets

Stem-Cell Research - Greater understanding of ocular stem-cell biology needed

Stem-Cell Research - Improved embryonic stem cell test predicts developmental toxicity

Stem-Cell Research - LIMK1/cofilin-mediated actin reorganization regulates stem cell migration

Stem-Cell Research - Many brainstem neurons express functional MOR or DOR receptors or both

Stem-Cell Research - Novel biomarkers of human pluripotent embryonic carcinoma stem cells identified

Stem-Cell Research - Novel method useful for cell-cell interaction studies and tissue engineering

Stem-Cell Research - Novel neuronal phenotypes generated from neural progenitor cells

Stem-Cell Research - Shock wave-promoted bone formation activates ERK and p38 kinase

Stem-Cell Research - Skin-originated stem cells isolated from pigs

Stem-Cell Research - Soluble Jagged-1 induces hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal

Stem-Cell Research - Stem cells derived via nuclear transplantation regenerates infarcted heart

Stem-Cell Research - c-Kit and nestin expressing cells represent endocrine precursor cells

Stem-Cell Transplantation - Allogeneic stem cell transplant curative in amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia

Stem-Cell Transplantation - Children recovering from stem-cell transplants suffer diminished resistance

Stem-Cell Transplantation - IFN with very low-dose PBMC infusion induces complete remission in CML relapse

Stem-Cell Transplantation - Pretreatment with hydroxyurea lowers rejection incidence in sickle cell disease

Sudden Cardiac Death - Sudden death can happen even with no structural heart disease

Testicular Cancer - In some cases, conservative surgery for testicular tumors is possible

Thromboembolic Disease - Computed tomography is the main diagnostic tool for DVT and PE

Tissue Engineering - Biodegradable support materials used to produce biphasic cartilage constructs

Tissue Engineering - Inkjet printing used for high-throughput cell patterning

Tissue Engineering - Preincubating tissue engineered constructs enhances donor cell retention

Tissue Engineering - Schwann cells implanted into acellular muscle provides graft for regeneration

Tissue Repair - Quill Barbed Polydioxanone Suture receives CE Marking for dermal closure

Tissue Repair - U.S. patent issued for live biological tissue bonding, welding technology

Tissue Transplantation - Six methods for assessing post-transplant I/R injury compared

Transfusion Medicine - FACS assay suitable for HPA 1a screening

Transplant Medicine - Report: New approach has lung recipients taking far fewer drugs

Trends - Functional genomics enables easy target identification, drives drug discovery

Tumor Marker - Clinical marker CAF-1 distinguishes quiescent from proliferating cells

Vascular Medicine - Graft company adds collagen-coated polyester products to vascular portfolio

Vascular Medicine - Studies: HepaSil shows significant improvement in ePTFE graft patency

Vascular Occlusive Disease - OmniWave Technology granted two U.S. patents

Vascular Procedures - Mariner hydrophilic angiographic catheter launched